Mission: Impossible 3 casting news

Story by: Jack Foley

TRYING to find out about the plot of Tom Cruises third
Mission: Impossible is almost as, well, impossible, as the missions
themselves, but the cast list seems to grow by the day.

Series regulars, Tom Cruise (naturally) and Ving Rhames have
already confirmed their involvement, while Narc
director, Joe Carnahan, is to helm proceedings (stepping into
the void left by David Fincher).

But several notable new additions have been added over the past
week, which make the arrival of the third instalment in the enjoyable
franchise something well worth getting excited about.

First of all, it was Matrix
star, Carrie Anne-Moss, putting pen to paper, quickly followed
by Brit actor, Kevin Brannagh, and, now, Lost
in Translation sensation, Scarlett Johansson.

In each case, nothing was forthcoming about any of the stars
involvement, with speculation amounting to guesswork as to whether
Moss will feature as a love-interest, or Branagh will become a
villain.

Although speculation surrounding the casting of Philip Seymour
Hoffman has been dismissed, as the actor is reportedly not going
to be involved.

Carnahan became involved in the project after he impressed Cruise
with his directorial debut, Narc, starring Ray Liotta and Jason
Patric - on which Cruise served as executive producer.

Cruise, meanwhile, is putting the finishing touches to his latest
thriller, Collateral, in which
he stars as a hit-man who kidnaps a New York cab driver to ferry
him between contracts.

The film is due for release in the autumn and is directed by
Michael Mann, from a script by Frank Darabont, who, coincidentally,
is also said to be penning the words for the Mission Impossible
movie.

Filming is due to begin shortly, with a possible release date
being eyed up for next year.